Perth’s 2011 racing season begins on Wednesday when the Perth Festival Meeting ushers in the first of the more than 50,000 visitors likely to pass through the gates at the Scone Palace racecourse.
A full calendar of events has once again been organised and by the time the season draws to a close on September 22, punters will have enjoyed 14 top race days.
Some of the UK’s top jockeys, trainers and horses will be taking part in what are acknowledged as some of the top events on the Scottish racing calendar.
A range of additional entertainment will also have a part to play and that will include fashion shows, live music, fun-fair rides, falconry, dancing, a camel race and some promised “VIP” guests.
The racing begins, however, with the Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Perth Festival, which runs from Wednesday until Friday and has become an important part of the Perth social calendar.
The prestigious fixture will attract a quality field for its races, together with local race-goers and visitors from far and wide.
Weekend showers and forecasts for fine weather for the remainder of the week have left staff at Perth convinced the course will be in superb condition come the first race.
General manager Sam Morshead said, “We’re looking forward to a busy season and with good entries already, it looks like we’ll see some great racing.
“We’ll be having a lot of visitors from the south of England and also from Ireland so visitors should expect to see some competitive fixtures.”
Other highlights of the 2011 season will include ladies’ day on May 12. Held in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, ladies’ day is undoubtedly the most glamorous race day of the year and the racecourse has already taken a substantial amount of bookings.
The venue is innovating as well, with fashion shows, Champagne on the lawn and packages that incorporate an “extra-special” butler service.
June sees Perth stage its Gold Cup Day fixture-one of the biggest and most prestigious UK jump races of the summer with first class horses, trainers and jockeys competing for over £50,000 of prize money on the fifth of the month.
Tartan party night follows on July 26, offering a summer evening of competitive racing followed by live music on the outdoor stage from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. New for 2011, meanwhile, is the Perth Racecourse charities race day, which takes place on Saturday, August 20.
Mr Morshead added, “We haven’t put up prices since the recession hit for the last three or four years, in fact. We’ve also tried to keep down the prices of our food and beverages.
We’re well aware that consumers have less money in their pockets, but we are determined to make sure that Perth Racecourse is good value and that everyone has a great day out.”